Crazy to be looking around while I’m not even halfway through the PR course but I wouldn’t mind doing this PC Repair Specialist course next. It would be handy qualification for casual work. I’m thinking maybe I could combine it with a private coaching service, showing people how to use their PC and the Internet.
Marks back for my first assignment for the Public Relations and Events Management course – an “A”. Very easy assignment, the next one looks a bit more challenging.
I have to give careful thought also on how to proceed with the degree course I started through OUA. Enrolments for SP3 close in about 3 weeks.
I really believe it is better to adopt a homeless dog than buy a purpose-bred puppy. Obviously there are dog fanciers, trainers and breeders around the world who would disagree but for ordinary folk like me who aren’t interested in a dog’s pedigree, I think it is a kinder option to consider. Particularly when you visit a place like the one I went to this morning – the local dog pound.
I rolled up at 7.30am to find out about becoming a volunteer dog walker with the local dog rehousing program. I was the first one there and the sound from the dogs locked up inside the council compound just tore at my heart. They’d heard the car and obviously knew it was time for some food and human attention.
This dog rehousing program was started about 7 years ago by Ludelle, a retired local lady. Ludelle was shocked at the number of unclaimed and abandoned dogs which had to be destroyed by council each year and aims to give them a second chance at finding a good and loving home. The council gives her space for four dogs at the pound, and she has a network of foster carers who take extra dogs on a temporary basis until permanent homes are found. She can save as many dogs as she has space and foster carers available.
Today I met Ludelle and another volunteer dog walker, Fiona. While Ludelle was cleaning out the pens and preparing the dogs’ meals Fiona and I took each dog for a good 20 minute walk. Although there are only four pens, at the moment there are five dogs being cared for there, the fifth is housed in the corridor between the pens.
There was an exuberant young black Labrador male named Gabe, a young black Kelpie male named Zac and three Staffordshires – Inka, Roxie and Chevy. Chevy was such a joy to watch, his tail wagged the whole time he was on lead and he just seemed so happy to be alive. They were all in wonderful condition, they get veterinary treatment and a good solid meal every day while in Ludelle’s care.
It was a little sad to leave them, their pens are in a windowless shed with a roller door – some daylight enters through a row of brick-sized ventilation holes in the wall. Seems a very dark and dreary place. But the odds are they wont be there long, the rehousing program is apparently pretty successful, Ludelle’s phone rang several times in my hearing (when I wasn’t walking dogs), and she is very strict about the homes she allows them to go to.
I bought a couple of wireless adapters for our other computers and have been having all sorts of trouble getting them to connect. For a couple of days I’ve been searching the internet for a solution, uninstalling and reinstalling drivers, trying all kinds of things. I couldn’t fathom it – the first adapter I’d set up a few weeks ago on my new Dell laptop was working fine. But I couldn’t get it to work in any other machine, and I couldn’t get any of the new adapters to work on the Dell.
It turns out I had “mis-remembered” the password set in my router a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I entered the correct password they all connected up like a dream. It’s called an id10t error …
Into work yesterday for a sausage sizzle fundraiser, out the front of Bunnings warehouse. Right after a whole lot of media coverage during the week, calling for a ban on the barbie because of the high salt content of sausages. Didn’t deter our public luckily. On for the late shift, busy in stops and starts and then the big clean up at the end of the day. Seemed a pretty successful day overall, combined with a bit of fun clowning around with the other volunteers.
There has been so much bad news in the press lately, axe murders, abused children, politicians behaving badly … it was nice to hear the good news that coffee is actually good for you. Yes, studies have shown that drinking 4 or 5 cups of coffee a day (doesn’t matter if it is decaf) is beneficial to health and can extend your life expectancy.
Hubby loves his Moccona, refuses to drink anything else unless freshly brewed. Doesn’t feel properly awake until his second cup of coffee of the day. I prefer a milder coffee, although fresh brewed is always a treat – the smell of fresh coffee is delightful.
DH’s work colleagues Troy and Mary-Ellen were married on Saturday at St Brigid’s Catholic Church. Lovely ceremony with Deacon Harry. Lots of cameras, lots of family, lots of laughter and tears. A country and western theme – wedding party wore denim, even the wedding dress was a beautiful denim gown.
Nice reception after the ceremony. Guests from far flung places – London, Mt Isa, Cairns, NSW … Lots of horseshoes everywhere, and each table at reception had an unusual but striking candle centrepiece wrapped in barbed wire.
Christening next day, T and M’s little boy John Douglas at St Mary’s Catholic Church. Three other christenings at the same time – quite a production line. A different minister, very efficient, business-like. Another get together afterwards, nice to meet up again so soon with same pleasant group of people.
Big weekend for T and M, remember how worn out we felt after our own wedding. Guests tired too – such hard work sitting around eating, drinking and socialising.
